October 29, 2009

So, I have taken on a big project -- A big project with deadlines and secrecy. I can't tell you about it yet, but the moment I can, you will be the first to know!

But the project (which I sought out) has got me thinking a little crazy. Like I must deep clean the entire house - this week! or that my desk and book case must be purged! I can attest to the fact that my house is much cleaner, but sadly I know it won't last. Within 5 minutes of walking into the living room my kids have disassembled the blankets/quilts and pillows on the couches. They love to make a pile to jump in - much like a pile of leaves outside.

There are many days where I just don't care what shape the house is in, or I spend a half hour at 5 picking up and sweeping the kitchen real quick. My kids and Joe don't care either way, but I find I am able to really relax only when there is a semblance of organization in my home. Just call me anal Amy - I'm okay with it! Of course the kids are great helpers when asked to pick up after themselves, but I have to instigate it.

Anyway, with this project I don't plan to take a break, I hope to continue to use this outlet to keep me sane. I will have to change my focus a little but it's just a couple of months! And the next Quilt Festival will be just as important to me!

I'm so thankful for all you, unknowingly pushing me to think bigger, and beyond myself. Through this blog, I've found community and acceptance unlike any other. Thank you.

Random thought -- all my creative juices are NOT flowing in the kitchen. Would you all be interested in swapping family dinner recipes? I could put up a linky and we could explore together. I really need some help!

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comments:

Congrats on your new project! It will be fun to see what it is! I often feel the same way...like I need to totally organize my house in one day...now...totally unrealistic! And the dinner recipe sounds like a great one as well!

Awesome! and intriguing, and interesting. I have a new project going now, too. I'm not announcing it yet, but I might tell you, if you ask. :)

I need dinner ideas too! I recently had a good dinner experience with crockpot chicken + taco seasoning; it lasted 2 meals--quesadillas with the works last week and then chicken taco soup last night (I froze the extra chicken in between). I think making enough for 3 or 4 meals and freezing the meat would be good too.

Lol! My floors are never so clean as when I have to start a big project - call it thinking space!!I will duck out of helping on the meal front - after 25 years of family dinners, I am pretty much a dried up prune in the creative supper world!!

I have an excellent quick oven recipe using French's French Fried Onions. On the back of the box there are 2 great tasting recipes for chicken and pork chops. I have tested the recipes out on family several times and can tell you that they have started to ask for those dinners....yea!

I totally get how you feel! There are more days than not that I take on way too much and just the same with cleaning up really quick before my husband gets home so I can relax. I'm thinking I know what your big project is (is it what you mentioned on FB?) and if so I am so happy for you!

Hey Amy - best wishes with the new project!! I feel the same way about my space - if it isn't neat, the chaos moves into my brain and then who can do anything, really?

As for dinner: Put some brown rice on the boil. Heat your oven to 350 and pound out some chicken breasts (or turkey) to 1/4-1/3" thick. Spread with a medium hot salsa and sprinkle on some nacho blend cheese and roll up. Put seam side down on a baking sheet. Add more salsa and cheese to the top and bake for about 45 min. Serve on the rice with a side of greens. So easy, so good.

Yeah for you - can't wait to hear the big news...and I agree with Jo Anna - crockpot!I know how you feel when the house is un-organized...it makes me feel overwhelmed and like my brain can't function right - sometimes we just have to let it go though...as long as our family is healthy and happy - that's what really matters right?!

You wouldn't have sought it out if you couldn't do it - I'm sure you can. And if your house is a little unkempt while you're working on other things - then so be it. Your kids will grow up with a fulfilled, ambitious, creative mother.

And I know this may sound strange coming from me - but everydayfoodmagazine.com is where I get many of my dinner recipes. Martha has her place. :)

Oh my! It must be the name cause I'm an anal amy too! BTW, sharing recipes is a great idea. Also, check out Pioneer Woman's blog. . . you won't be sorry (and, she just published a cookbook!) http://thepioneerwoman.com/

I’m right there with ‘ya on the needing order to keep the juices flowing. Can’t wait to hear about the big secret project. In the meantime, I thought I’d offer you a pdf copy of our family cookbook. It was a Christmas project we worked on a few years ago, useful for getting all the tried & true recipes we use all in one place, both for ourselves and then we had some printed up at Kinko’s for family and friends. It also was a way for get my older son into writing (he wrote the introductions for each of the different sections). (Of course, the younger one contributed some drawings!)

Anyway, there really are a lot of good recipes in here (my husband is quite the cook). If you’d like me to email you a copy, just say yes and I will. I didn’t want to just send a big file over first for fear it gets spammed!

Oooh, can't wait to see what you've been working on! I'm like you -- usually I don't really care if the house gets messy -- but I'm thinking I let it go too long -- it's driving me nuts now and it seems like all I do is clean now!

Amy, yay for you working on a big project! Sounds interesting, I can't wait to hear what it is!

As for dinner ideas... we subscribed to EZ meals and LOVE it! for $5 a month... SO worth it! check it out http://www.e-mealz.com/might be an option for you... I love it mainly because it proves a SHOPPING LIST too... makes trips to the grocery quick and easy!

the new project sounds like it will be fun!I do the SAME thing in my house; really could go days without thinking about (ok, I REALLY mean weeks) and then something new is coming up and I have to clean to clear my head. I like what anonymouse called it "thinking space". I'm IN on the recipe thing and also wanted to give a shout out to Stephanie. She has a great site called A Year of Slowcooking. You can find her at www.crockpot365.blogspot.com. She also has a book called "Make It Fast, Cook It Slow"

Yes! I always need inspiration in the kitchen! My partner is no help... if I ask him what he wants for dinner he just says "whatever you want love".. really helpful when I have no ideas either! We do a similar thing with my ante natal group but would love some more recipes :)

Oh Amy your new project has us all excited for you - good luck and keep us informed when you can. I love the recipe swap idea. And as for anal Amy....I find I can tolerate so much mess and then, suddenly, it's all too much! I would be OCD but I can't cope with it because the letters aren't in the right order!!

About Me

Hi, I am Amy! This space is my outlet to share my love for my family and my love for fabric! Quilting is my creative therapy in the midst of our busy household, by sharing here my desire is to encourage and inspire others to find their personal creative outlet. Enjoy!